Potato-harvester



(No Model.)

M. L. ATEN.

POTATO HARVESTER.

Patented July 10, 1894.

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WITNESSES J) agmi UNI TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERRITT L. ATEN, OF DEERFIELD, MICHIGAN.

POTATO-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,873, dated July 10, 1894.

Applica i n fi September 7, 1893. Seria1Nn.484,987- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MERRITT L. ATEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Deerfield, county of Lenawee, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Potato-Harvesters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and enact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to potato harvesters, and consists in the peculiar arrangements and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical elevation of my improved harvester, and Fig. 2 1s a perspective view thereof.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

In carrying out my invention, A represents the beam; A, the clevis to which is attached the motive power; B represents handles; and 0 represents a share having the point C, which depends downward in such 'manner that the device is drawn into the ground as it is drawnforward.

D are fingers attached to the rear end of the share, as shown at d (1. Upon either side of the fingers are guard plates E E.

From the upper side of the beam curve two straps at either side thereof, marked F and F, which engage and are riveted to the side plates E E.

The share, fingers and side plates form a scoop with the beam, having longitudinal perforations opening out to the rear. Underneath the share is firmly fixed a longitudinal beam G, which, extending rearwardly, is connected with the lower ends of the curved straps F and F, as shown more especiallyin Fig. 1.

To the extreme rear end of the beam A and the lower beam G is a standard H, rigidly connecting the two. Underneath the beam is fixed a perpendicular plate, longitudinal therewith and marked 1. Upon either side of the share are wing pieces which are turned and deflected downward. One only of these is shown in either of the figures, at J. The office of these wing pieces is, by their connecting into the ground upon either side, to steady and hold the device in its operation, preventing its being readily turned out of course or thrown aside by slight obstructions, as would otherwise be the case. The same office is performed by the longitudinal plate I.

The guiding handles B are attached to the beam in the usual form, and their construction needs no description.

A wall W may be attached for the purpose of regulating the depth of the ground to which the share may be out.

It will be observed that from the point of the share to the end of the fingers rising on an incline, there are no obstructions in the nature of standards or connecting pieces be- I tween the beam and the share, and that the connections are made by the curved pieces F F which are firmly pressed by the wings E E, the parts being firmly riveted or bolted together. In addition thereto, there may be provided braces between the curved bars F F and the beam. The braces are marked f f. The operation of this device is as follows: Upon being drawn forward, the point of the share enters the ground underneath the potatoes to be harvested, all the earth therein, together with the potatoes, rising and passing to the rearward over the inclined fingers D, and between the wings E E, the whole falling to the rear, with the loose dirt passing through between the fingers, thus leaving the potatoes on the top of the ground as delivered. In this forward motion, the wing shares, so called, combined with the plate I, firmly hold and steady the device, thereby preventing many difficulties in the operation of implements of this character, and which detract very much from their usefulness.

What I claim is-- In a potato harvester, the combination of a draft beam A, guided by handles 13; a beam G located underneath, and in a vertical plane with, A; the beam G carrying a triangular deflected share 0, rising rearwardly and betreinities of the beams A and G, substaning continued by fingers D located between tially as described. I0 triangular Wing pieces E E; the circuinferen- In testimony whereof I sign this specificatial holding pieces F F attached to the beam tion in the presence of two witnesses.

5 A the wing pieces E and the lower beam G; V MERRITT L. ATEN.

downwardly turned deflectiug,steadyingwing Witnesses:

shares J; a longitudinal keel share I; and a VERNOR B. CANNON, rearward standard H connecting the rear ex- N. MANLY. 

